Man Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Fraud Using AI-Generated Rotten Fruit Images
A man has been sentenced to one year in prison for defrauding e-commerce platforms by using AI to create fake images of rotten fruit to claim refunds. His actions led to an entire county being flagged as high-risk.
The Hengshan County People's Court in Hunan recently concluded a case involving a man who used AI software to fabricate images of spoiled fruit to commit fraud against e-commerce platforms. The individual, identified as Tan, repeatedly ordered high-value fruits such as durians and cherries between October 2025 and January 2026. After receiving the goods, he used AI photo editing software to generate images depicting the fruit as spoiled, then claimed "refund only" for quality issues without returning the merchandise.
As a result of Tan's actions, multiple e-commerce platforms designated Hengshan County as a high-risk area. This led to restrictions for residents in the county, making it difficult to purchase items like durians and cherries. In January 2026, an affected e-commerce platform reported the fraudulent activity to the Hengshan County Public Security Bureau. Through big data monitoring and tracing IP addresses, police identified Tan as the suspect and apprehended him. Authorities discovered 75 mobile phones used in the scheme at his residence, along with evidence of AI-generated images and financial records.
Tan did not return the products after receiving refunds. Instead, he resold the perfectly good fruit at discounted prices through platforms like Xianyu, social media, and offline channels. Over a four-month period, he placed over 100 orders, illegally obtaining fruits valued at more than 16,000 yuan. Court documents revealed that Tan had previously been convicted of fraud in 2024, making his current offense a repeat offense, warranting a harsher sentence.
The Hengshan County People's Court sentenced Tan to one year in prison and a fine of 5,000 yuan for fraud. The judge noted that repeat offenders, especially for the same crime within a short period, are typically not eligible for suspended sentences due to the perceived higher risk of reoffending. The case highlights the challenges e-commerce platforms face with fraudulent "refund only" schemes and the legal consequences for such actions.